Have a burning question on venture capital you need answered? In OUP’s second annual ‘Ask a VC’ webinar, our partner TTOs ask Managing Partners Marc Singer and Bill Harrington anything and everything as it pertains to venture capital operations, decision-making, and the current investing environment.
Software-based technologies present challenges to the most experienced university technology managers when it comes to licensing. These technologies are often not patentable, released under an open source license, or the software is frequently rewritten – making the original code less valuable. Therefore, faculty frequently don’t disclose software, and companies commonly avoid licensing software IP from the universities.
Hiring top talent is not impossible for startups, but finding the right talent for university spinouts can be a difficult task. Even university startups ensconced in entrepreneurial rich talent-rich pools such as Boston, the Bay area, and New York struggle to appropriately match talent to attractive management roles.
Columbia Technology Ventures (CTV) and venture investors Osage University Partners (OUP) invite you to view a seminar on the following topic: “The behind-the-scenes view on how VCs evaluate potential startup CEOS.”
Drawing from 25 years of venture capital experience, Osage University Partners (OUP) managing partner Marc Singer will take you through the CEO search process, how VCs evaluate potential entrepreneur, and some observations about drivers for long-term success as an entrepreneur. The audience will assess mock candidate profiles and learn methods of diligence to choose the right leader for your startup.
Hardware is hard. Large capital requirements, long development timelines, and fickle customers are classic critiques that VCs focus on when evaluating a hardware startup. Yet substantial investments in quantum computing, semiconductors, and additive manufacturing prove that an industry-changing vision with cutting edge technology can overcome investor hesitations about the sector. And while the numbers show that investment dollars into software outpace hardware, the reality is the two keywords no longer separate the industry as many hardware entrepreneurs and investors have learned the benefits of software-enabled “things.” Is the market returning to hardware bets? What do investors want to see in 2018? What are avoidable pitfalls of pitching a hardware story?
Cyber threats and attacks have arrived in full force. More than ever before, they threaten not only individuals, but corporations and nation states. Within corporations, the types of cyber threats and the various methods of protection have exploded. At universities, the level of research around security detection, prevention, and encryption has significantly increased. This webinar aims to decipher the increasingly complicated cybersecurity space from a startup and investment perspective. OUP will provide a brief introduction to the market and investment activity for the past 15 years, followed by a conversation and Q&A with Amir Ben-Efraim of Menlo Security and Jake Flomenberg of Accel Partners. Our panelists will cover current areas of interests for investment, provide an informed analysis of the cybersecurity market dynamics and trends, and offer their suggestions on how to advance university-originated cybersecurity concepts, inventions, and startups.
University of Washington startup KenSci recently announced its $8.5M Series A financing and Osage University Partners is proud to have participated in the round alongside Ignition Partners. This is our 64th investment in a university spinout since our founding in 2009. Based on four years of research at the University of Washington, KenSci is a machine learning platform that helps health…